Eindhoven holidays

How to reach Eindhoven

• Flight time: Flights to Eindhoven take around 1 hour 15 minutes from London.

• Transfer time: Eindhoven Airport, 9km northwest of town, is just 20 minutes from the centre on bus #401, which runs to the train station.

• Price: A single bus ticket costs around €4, while a taxi ride to the city centre will set you back about €25.

Best time to visit Eindhoven

This will depend on what you want to do during your Eindhoven holidays; the weather is likely to influence your decision.

• March to May: Eindhoven gardens come into their own during April, while events like the King’s Day, also in April, see the city burst into life. Temperatures range from 12°C to 18°C with 6–8 hours of sunshine, although downpours are not uncommon.

• June to August: Peak season when temperatures can comfortably reach 22°C, making it a great time to enjoy alfresco dining and riverside walks.

• September to November: Autumn is the ideal time to take in the city’s many superb museums, especially now that the crowds have gone, although you can expect a mass influx of visitors for Dutch Design Week in October. Average temperatures fall from 16°C to around 8°C, and you can expect fairly consistent rainfall.

• December to March: Winters in Eindhoven tend to be long and cold, with temperatures averaging 2°C to 5°C. However, the city’s Christmas markets and the always fun Glow Eindhoven Festival brighten things up, quite literally.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Dutch is the official language, but English is widely spoken, especially among younger locals.

• Local habits and customs: The Dutch are renowned for their liberal and laidback attitude, so there isn’t much in the way of etiquette to observe. Tipping is not usually expected and service charges are often added to the bill in restaurants.

• Health and safety: Eindhoven is one of the safest cities in Europe. Tap water is safe to drink and healthcare is excellent.

• Currency: The Netherlands uses the Euro. ATMs are readily available, and card payments are widely accepted.

• Getting around: Eindhoven is a compact city easily given over to walking. If you do need them, the local buses are efficient, with a single fare costing €2.50. You can also rent a bike for around €15 per day.

• Electricity and plug types: The Netherlands uses 230 volts and Type C or F plugs. UK travellers will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Eindhoven operates on Central European Time, which is 1 hour ahead of GMT and observes Daylight Saving Time.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers need a valid passport for entry but do not require a visa for short stays.

Best things to do in Eindhoven

Home to the multinational electrical company Philips, Eindhoven is also a leading city in modern architecture and design with a vibrant student nightlife. The regenerated Strijp S district is one of the Netherlands’ most exciting zones.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Evoluon: While primarily an event space, this UFO-shaped building symbolises Eindhoven’s continuing innovation; architecturally remarkable, it provides excellent photo opportunities.

The best districts

• Strijp-S: A former Philips industrial area, Strijp S has been converted into the most creative district of the southern Netherlands, with apartments, galleries, restaurants, design shops and a café hosting live music gigs.

Museums

• Van Abbe Museum: Superb collection of modern paintings that includes works by Picasso, Mondriaan, Klein, Chagall, Kandinsky, Toorop, Appel and Bacon.

• MU Artspace: Devoted solely to contemporary art and design, its exhibitions frequently rotate, but it usually presents an innovative blend of design, fashion, music, architecture and new media by young and upcoming artists.

• DAF Museum: Devoted to the history of the Netherlands’ only home-grown car and truck manufacturer, there are dozens of cars and trucks on display, though the museum’s pride and joy is its 1968 DAF Siluro built by Italian car designer Giovanni Michelotti.

Parks and gardens

• Genneper Parken: This capacious green space has a small nexus of cycling paths, a petting zoo and a swimming centre, so there’s plenty to get stuck into.

Historical monuments

• St Catherine’s Church: A stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, the city’s principal ecclesiastical building is known above all for its intricate stained glass. Try and catch an organ recital here too if you can.

Day trips in the area

• Breda: One of the Netherlands’ prettiest towns, manifesting a stunning Gothic cathedral alongside a lively bar scene and some great shopping.

• ’s-Hertogenbosch: This bustling market town has a picturesque old quarter of alleys and little bridges; Wednesdays and Saturdays are best, when its Markt fills with traders from all over the province.

• Maastricht: With its cobbled streets and fashionable boutiques in the old town, contemporary architecture in the Céramique district, a fantastic art fair and excellent cuisine, the city buzzes with excitement. A city of vitality and virtuosity, which comes complete with a lively restaurant and bar scene as well as a set of first-rate medieval buildings.

Activities for families in Eindhoven

Holidays to Eindhoven will appeal to families with kids who have an appetite for tech-led museums, while beyond the city limits, there’s terrific fun to be had at what is arguably the country's best theme park.

• Interactive museums: At the Philips Museum, kids can participate in a scavenger hunt with UV lights, and during the school holidays, there are even more activities where children get to work with technology. The DAF Museum, with its vintage cars and interactive displays, is another hit for curious minds.

• Parks and playgrounds: Just around the corner from Strijp-S is one of Eindhoven’s most beautiful playgrounds, Speeltuin Philipsdorp, with lots of play equipment, a large sandbox and a huge terrace. There’s also Genneper Parken and its wide open spaces, walking trails and a petting zoo.

• Theme parks: De Efteling theme park is an excellent day out, and not just for children; of the rides, Python, Flying Dutchman and Baron 1898 are hair-raising rollercoaster rides, whilst De Bob is an exhilarating bobsleigh run. Piranha takes you through some whitewater rapids (expect to get wet), but there are plenty of gentler rides too.

Free things to do in Eindhoven

Exploring Eindhoven on a budget is easy if you look hard enough, particularly when it comes to the outdoors.

• Festivals: Eindhoven hosts a variety of festivals every year, all of which have free elements. There’s the Dutch Chilli Fest, where daredevils treat their taste buds and ears to spicy dishes and matching music; the Vanstreek Festival, fun for both adults and kids; and more great food and music at Effenaar ‘t Wasven.

• Street art: Wander through Strijp-S to discover the city’s vibrant street art scene. The Flying Pins sculpture in the city centre is another fun and free photo opportunity.

Nature and outdoor activities

Eindhoven has more than enough green spaces to escape to, while a little further afield there are more active pursuits to be discovered.

• Cycling: Rent a bike and explore the city’s well-connected cycle paths, which lead to scenic spots like the Dommel Valley and Strijp-S.

• Hiking: The Strabrechtse Heide is a beautiful heathland area offering trails for all levels, from gentle strolls to more challenging hikes.

• Paddleboarding: The Karpendonkse Plas is not just for relaxing walks - it’s also a super spot for water-based activities like paddleboarding and canoeing.

Local dishes in Eindhoven

Eindhoven’s culinary offer has improved tremendously in recent times, a veritable melting pot of flavours which largely reflects its diverse population.

Some typical dishes

• Stamppot: A warming dish of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables like kale or carrots, often served with smoked sausage.

• Erwtensoep (or snert): Thick pea soup with smoked sausage, served with smoked bacon on pumpernickel.

Meat dishes

• Hachee: Slow-cooked beef or venison stew with onions and spices, traditionally served with mashed potatoes or red cabbage.

• Frikandel: Deep-fried sausage topped with curry ketchup, mayonnaise and chopped onions.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Maatje herring: Eaten raw with onions in early summer: hold the fish by the tail, tip your head back and dangle it into your mouth, Dutch-style.

• Kibbeling: Delicious battered and fried chunks of white fish, typically served with a tangy garlic or herb sauce.

Street food

• Bitterballen: Crispy, deep-fried balls filled with meat ragout - perfect with a cold beer.

• Patat: Dutch fries served thick-cut and slathered with mayonnaise, peanut satay sauce or ketchup.

Sweets and desserts

Dutch cakes and cookies are always good, best eaten in a banketbakkerij (patisserie) with a small serving area or bought in a bag and munched on the hoof. Particularly delicious are stroopwafels, butter wafers sandwiched together with runny syrup; and vlaai, a fruity pastry tart from the nearby Limburg region.

Local drinks

• Jenever: Dutch gin, drunk straight; oud (old) is smooth, jong (young) packs more of a punch.

• Dutch Beer: The big brands Heineken, Amstel, Oranjeboom and Grolsch are just the tip of the iceberg, with many excellent craft breweries now present; Eindhoven’s Van Moll brewery is currently going great guns.

• Koffie Verkeerd: The Dutch take on a café au lait, this milky coffee is a comforting pick-me-up; try it with a stroopwafel.